Dad and I spent this Xmas lunch happily cruising along Glebe cycleway, until he fell off....

I got dad a foldable bike for Christmas last year so he we could do something active on the family picnics. This year again I thought we'd go for a ride around Glebe along the cycleway. I managed to get the sisters on a test ride too. Once I was convinced the cycleway was easy for him I decided to take him on road to the look out under the ANZAC bridge.

Younger sister #2 enjoying the ride.

Younger sister #1 not too sure about the ride

After the lookout we hop back on the road, as we approach the red light up with big trucks I thought it'd be safer to get back onto the cycleway via this driveway. The curb doesn't look high but it's enough to feel the bump as you go over. Sometimes I forget I'm more experienced at riding in Sydney than most. So as I went over and turned back to check in on dad, I saw my fears turn into reality. Dad's tiny tyre didn't hit the curb with enough speed and he ended up getting caught, losing balance and falling over. Landing on his recently fractured hand, scraping his knees and face. Bloodied. Scratched up, hurting and in shock. He pulled together and to ride back.

Connections are so important. Road design needs to consider accessibility for all in all forms of mobility devices. Wheel chairs, prams, cargo bikes, bikes, walking frames.

There's no separated cycling infrastructure in Japan. And yet everyone cycles. Mums with bubs, kids, high schools students, grandparents with shopping, dads with kids, business attired. Everyone cycles. So how can a country without designated, separated, safe cycle lanes and with the best technologies in the world achieve this? How is it that pedestrians, car drivers, cyclists can commute in harmony. Answer: Culture and Education

The right of way logic is ingrained into the Japanese people.Give right of way to the most vulnerable.

Pedestrians, then;

Cyclists, then;

Cars, then;

Trucks

All major destinations of interest have dedicated bike parking infrastructure. The little convenience store, the major shopping centres, schools, railway stations